Soil-pulverizing apparatus.



C. R. BRADLEY. SOIL` PULVERIZING APPARATUS.

APPLIATIN FILED JAN. 20, 1906. 980,484, atented Jan. 3, 1911.

2 SHEETS- SHEET l,

vC. R. BRADLEY. SOIL PULVERIZING APPARATUS.

986,484 APPLICATION' .'rILED JANZD, 1906. Patentgd Jn. 3,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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sornrunvnmzmo APPARATUS..

To allwhom it may concer/n. @Be it-lnownthatfI, 'CHARLES R. BRADLEY, a. citizeniof thclUnited States, residing` at ParisfFrlancg'ha've invented a new and useful 'SeilbIulveriz'ing VApparatus, ot which the fllwin'gisa specification.

tIIhis invention relates to soil pulverizing apparatus. y

The obj` of' the invention is to provide a-machine -idiichfis simple in construction and efcient in operation for pulverizing the soil Vin the preparation of land for agriculturalor other purposes.

A further object of the invention is to Arovide. a machine of the 'character referred to which will 'efficiently pulverize the subsoil aswell as the soil to any desired depth. Aiurther object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character referred to which combines soll pulverlzing or dis-` integrating devices with seed sowing fertilizer distributingand soil compacting devices toV produce a complete agricultural machine for preparing land and planting seeds therein.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invent-ion consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and relative arrangement of parts all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth', as shown in the accompanying drawings and inally pointed out in the appended claims.

'fw-'Referring to the accompanying drawings :and to the various views and reference signs appearing thereonzFigure l is a view in side elevation of a construction of machine embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same, parts broken out to more clearly show the construction and arrangement of parts lying beneathl .Fig 3 is a broken view in section on the line @3, 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4., a similar View on the line 4, et, Fig. l. Figs. 5, t), 7,

8, 9, land 1l are detail views, showing various forms of soil disintegrating or pulverizing plates employed in carrying out the principles of my invention.

The same part isdesignated by the same reference sign wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

In the use of plowsl or other similar devices employed inconnection with the preparationof land for cultivation or other agriculturalpurposes, it frequently occurs that specification f Letters raient.

Patented Jan'f, 1911.

' Application led January 20, 1996.- `Serial No. 296,941'.

the soil is not suii'iciently disintegrated or pulverized to secure the best results, and that the soil is not penetrated to a sufficient depth vfor the plants to be grown to derive the ,greatest benefit trom'the preparation or cultivation of the ground. It is among 'the special purposes of my present invention to provide a machine which overcomes these objections and by which the soil and the subsoil to any desired depth are eiciently disintegrated and thoroughly broken up and pulver-ized while both the surface soil and the sub-soil are returned to their relative positions without being mixed together to any appreciable extent. I also propose to combine with the soil disintegrating or pulverizing apparatus, suitable devices whereby the seeds to be planted are distributed to V,the pulverized or disintegrated soil the fer- Ztilizer evenly distributed and thereafter such soil compacted suiiiciently Ato eect an elticient planting of the seeds by a single operation of the machine over the ground. It is to be understood that these various objects and purposes may be accomplished in a wide variety of ways. While, therefore, I have shown and will now describel the construction andoperation of a machine embodying the principles of my invention, I do not desire to be limited or restricted to the'eXact or specific structure and arrangement.

In carrying out my invention I provide a. suitable frame work A, and arrange the same to be supported on Wheelsand to be drawn, propelled or driven through the field or over the ground, the soil of which is to be pulverized or disintegrated. In the partieular form shown, to which, however, my invention is not to be limited or restricted, a motor B is employed, and suitably mounted upon the trame work, and geared to the rear wheels C, thereby producing a traction'machine.

The principal feat-ure andcharacteristic of my invention resides in the construction and varrangement of the disintegrating or pulverizing devices. I have shown,as an illus'- trative operative embodiment of my inventilon in regard to this feature, but to which my 1nvention is not to be limited or restricted, a shaft D, upon which are sleeved or otherwise mounted, a series of disks, plates or 8, 9, 10 mtll 1l I have shown various Vforms. 'y

semble these disintegrator Adisintegrator plates is centrally perforatedL in corresponding contour. In practice I asplates in close compact relation with respect to each other g upon the supporting shaft D,.employing the various disintegrator plates 1n any desired and interspersed order throughout the length of the shaft D.' Rotation at a high rateA of speed may be imparted to the shaft D in any suitable or convenient manner. In

the particular form shown, to which the inljections F5,

vention, however, is not to be limited or restricted, notonly are the disintegrator plates provided with various constructions, designs and styles of peripheral teeth and projections, but said plates may also be of varying diameter. Thus, in Fig. 5 is shown a disintegrator plate El, carrying projecting spring -arms F, somewhat tangentlally arranged and mounted upon,

formed with', or suitably secured to, the periphery of the plate El. In Fig. 6 is shown a disintegrator plate E2, having radiating arms or projections F2. The spring arms F1, andthe radiating arms F2, may, if desired, be hook shaped at their outer ends, as clearly shown. In Fig. 7 is shown a disintegrator plate E3, having arms or projections F3, arranged in the form of a cross. In. Fig. 8 is shown a disin'tegrator plate E4, having peripheral cutting projections or cornersV Ft. In Fig. 9 is shown a disintegrator plate E5, Vhaving `radial prothe depressions between adjacent projections being curved. In Fig. l10 is shown a disintegrator plate E,having ra'- diat-ing projections FU-,the projections being star shape In Fig. 1l, I have shown a disintegrator plate E7, hav ing peripheral projections or teeth F7, arranged somewhat similar to a circular saw. While I have shown various forms and shapes ,of disintegrator plates, it is obvious that many other specific forms of disintegrator plates may also be employed, and having various peripheral shapes or configurations, and o varying diameters. As above stated, in assembling the disintegrator plates upon their supporting shaft the various forms of plates may be arranged in any desired order, or may be indiscriminately in` terspersed in the relative rotativedisplacement. Disintegrator plates of varying thickness may also be employed, the thinner the plates the liner the disintegrated soil will be, and conversely, the thicker the plates used the coarser the disintegrated soil will be. The

rotating disintegrator so constructed and asvarms, or projections.

. venient. manner.

plate and saidl sembled presents the appearance of a solid body. of generally cylindrcial forni and having a multitude of cutting br disintegrator peripheral edges, with a multitude of inten spersed alternating pockets or recesses. and

Of course, it is to be understood that the particular character of the soil to be 'disintegrated or pulverized will determine in a larg-e measure the parf ticular character of the 'disintegrator disks,

and the relative varrangement in the assembling thereof. And only experience can determine the particular arrangement of the disintegrator disks for any particular char; acter or quality of soil.

The disintegrator above described, or the supporting shaft D thereof may be supported upon the frame work in many specifically different ways, 0r`in any suitable or con- As illustrative-of an operative arrangement, I have shown the shaft D supported in 'the ends of arms G, said v,arms being pivotally mounted at their other ends upon a shaft H, suitably journaled 'or mounted in the frame work. By this construction the soil disintegrating device may be yraised or lowered to regulate the depth of out' thererf by suitably rockin@ or swinging thev arms Gr about the shaft H, upon which said arms are pivotally mounted. Any suitable arrangement of elevating or hoisting mechanism may be employed for adjustably raising and lowering the disintegrator. As illustrative of an operative embodiment, l'have shown a collar J, loosely 100 sleeved upon the shaft D, and having` ears K, see Fig. Ll, to which is secured the end of a chain, or other suitable connection L. This chain is arranged to be wound upon a shaft M, suitably journaled in the frame Work, and adapted to be rotated in suitable or convenient manner, as for instance, by means of intermeshing gears N, O, the former being mounted on shaft M, land the latter upon a shaft l), to the end of which may be applied a crank arm. The pawl R, and the ratchet disk S, may serve to maint-ain the shaft M in any desired position Aof its rotative adjustment. The high rate of rotative-speed may be imparted to the disintegrator, or to the supporting shaft D thereof, in any suitable or convenient manner. As illustrative of an operative embodiment for accomplishing this result, to which, however, my invention is in no manner-to stricted, I have shown shaft D driven through a Asuitable drive chain indicated-at A?, operating over a gear B1, upon shaft D and a gear C1 on shaft I-I. The shaft H may be rotated from any convenient source of power, as for instance, from the motor through any suitable or convenient arrangement of driving gear. In the particular form shown, to which the invent-ion however, is not limited or restricted, the motor shaft be limited or re- 120-l D1, is gearedto drive V the axle or shaft G1,

Y upon which the traction wheels() are mountat ,Moperating over gearsNl, O1, respectively mounted uponsaid shaft L1 and aXle or shaft G1. l The sleeve A3 is mounted upon a shaftPl, suitably journaled in the trame of the niachinesa id sleeve being driven through suitable internieshinql gears R1, S1,

respectiyely ,mounted upon said sleeve A2, andshaft LA@ The shaft H may be driven from sleeve A3. in anyconvenient manner, as oi instance` by. means of a sprocket chain or other suitable `driving vconnection B2. It is obvious that any vother form of driving gearing' oriniparting rotation to shaft D may be employed. Ido not desire, therefore, to be limitedV orrestricted tothe gearing arrangement ,and v.driving mechanism shown and above described.

In practical operation the machine is ad'- vanced through afield or over ground, the soil of which is to be disintegrated, with the disintegrator adjusted to the proper height to'eii'ct a cutv of the desired depth into the soil, and a high speed of rotary movement is imparted to said disintegraton The cut ting edges" of `the disintegrator plates revolving in thedirection indicated by the arrow in Fig. l', scoop up the soil by the engagement therewith of the radiating or projecting arms or bits of the individual disintegrator plates, iii small increments. The speed of progression of the machine is to beso regulated. relatively to the speed of rotation o' ,the disintegrator as Jto enable such .cutting point arm or projection of the disintegrator plates to eiect a gouging and scooping` action upon a comparatively small fraction of the soil. The soil ror dirt thus scooped up is thrown upwardly by the centrifugal torce resulting from the rapid rotation imparted to the disintegrator.v Ordinarily Vthesoilthus scooped up and thrown by the centrifugal action of the disintegrator would bevthrown rnot only upwardly, but somewhat forwardly, or in advance of the disiiitegrator, antlwvoiild not be sutliciently disintegrated or puh-erizedf To avoid these objections I propose to employ a series of spring'lingers C3,suitably supported upon a. hood Dcarried .upon the arms G, or other suitable Aor convenient part of the trame which` supports the` disintegrator. spring arms are preferably of stii spring material, and theirfvfree endsfextend from the hood or shield D3 toward and in close roximity to the peripheral Isurface of the ratorlplates. and they serve in con- Tliese junction with. the hood or shield D3, not only to prevent the soil detached from the f ground bythe disintegrator from beingV thrown upwardly. from the disintegrator,y

lbut also tocompel such dirt or soil t0 be carried around with-the cylinder until the .y freeV ends of the spring arms orl fingers' are I passed. when such soilr will be thrown 0H; centrifugally, but upwardly and rearwardly from the disintegrator, whilel at the same time such soil is thoroughly' disintegrated and pulverized by being forced through and between the spring arms or fingers C3, so that when such s oil is inally thrownfrom the disintegrator, it is thoroughly disintegrated and pulverized. The spring fingers,

or arms C3, not only perform the function therefore, ot'compelling the soil scooped up by the disintegrator to be thrown upwardly and rearwardly by the disiiitegiator, but

also serve to pulVeriZeand thoroughly` disintegrate the soil, at the same time yielding suiiiciently to enable any undue obstruction in the forni of stone, stick, or the like to pass through without injury to the appa'- iatus. As the machine progresses through the field the vsoil thus dug up and disintegrated is delivered in a flying stream upon the surface of the ground to the rear of .the disintegrator, and over which the cylinderY has passed.

It one built up disintegrator is insufficient to effect a cutofthe desired dept-hor if is desired to separately pulverize the sub-soil and return it to its relative position unniixed with the surface soil, one or more additional disintegrators may also be mounted upon the machine, and of suitable size and diameter, to follow up the advance disintegrator to eect a still deeper cut into the. ground and in this manner separately pul-l ing driven at the saine peripheral speed and of the same vertical adJustinent, to regulate or vary the depth of cut made thereby. I.

have shown one additional disintegrator mounted upon a shaft A3, suitably supported in arms B3, the latter being sleeved to rock upon shaft P1. y' The shaft A3 may be driven from shaft P1 in any convenient manner, as for instance, by a drive -belt or chain C3, or other convenient drive mechanism. The disintegrator shaft A3 may be vertically adjusted by an adjusting chain D3, suitably connected to a collar G3, mounted upon shaft A3, and coiled upon a shaft H3, driven from a crankshaft J3, through intermesliing gears K3, L3, and havin@ associated therewith a stop pawl M3,A and ratchet N3, similar in all respects to corresponding features above described with reference to the advance disv guard plate At, may be suitably 3.5

integrator may have associated therewith a hood or shield O3, suitably supported upon arms P3, forming projections or extensions of the arms B3, associated spring arms or fingers R3, performing the same. functions with respect to the disintegrator carried by shaft A3, as the spring fingers C2, with respect to the disintegrator carried by shaft D, and as above explained. If desired,ror required, and in order to prevent the disintegrated and pulverized soil from the front disintegrat-or from falling upon the disintegrator carried by shaft A3, a shield or supported above the hood O3 and in position to protect the rear disintegratorjfrom the disintegrated dirt or soil of the front disintegrator, therebv etfectually preventing the surface soil pulverized by the front disintegrator `from being mixed withr the sub-soil pulverized by the rear disintegrator. T heidisintcgrated soil scooped up and pulverized by the rear disintegrator, is delivered from such disintegrator in a stream upon the ground to the rear of said rearmost disintegrator, and over which said disintegrator has progressed; The action of the apparat-us is clearly indicated in Fig. l, the forward disintegrator being shown as effect-ing a certain depth of cut into the surface of the ground or field over which the machine operates, While the rearmost disintegrator is revmoving a somewhat deeper cut in the path of the'forward disintegrator, the disi'ntegrated and pulverized soil from both dlsintegrators being shown in loosened condition,

as delivered from the disintegrating devices.

and over the loosened bed of soil thus disin` tegrated and pulverized, and deposited, the traction wheels C operate.

In practice, and in order to utilize the machine as a seeder, and fertilizer distributer as well as a soil disintegrator and pulverizer, suitable vseeding or distributing devices A5, may be suitably arranged upon the frame of the machine, to deliver the seed or fertilizer into the disintegrated and pulverized soil at a convenient point to the rear of the disintegrating devices, and in order to suitably compact the surface of the disintegrated soil over and upon the seed and fertilizer thus delivered into the disintegrated soil, I propose to mount upon the axie G1, a series of loosely mounted rollers B5, the diameters of the bores of said rollers being somewhat larger. than the diameter of the axle G, upon which they are mounted, so as to afford a desirable flexibility to prevent binding of said rollers in the operation of the machine. The operation of these rollers over the, surface of the disintegrated and pulverized soil, and at a point to the rear of the seeding and fertilizer distributing devices A5, serves to compact the surface of the disintegrated soil sut'liciently to cover the seeds and fertilizerv be rocked in any convenient manner, as for instance, from a steering wheel H, in convenient location with reference to the seat of the machine attendant or driver. 1

It frequently #happens that stones, sticks or the. like are encountered as the machine progresses or advances through a field. In-

deed, it may be sometimes desirable to operate the machine over stony ground merely for the purpose of removing the stones. The forni of disintegrator plate shown at E1v in Fig. 5,having the spring arms F1, is Well adapted for the purpose of removing any undue obstruction in the form of stones or sticks, and where the ground is unusually stony a greater or less number 'of the dis'- integrator plates may be of the form shown 'at G5, in the frame work, and which mayin this figure of the drawings, or, if necessary, the entire disintegrator may be made up of plates of this form. Similarly, and for other purposes, a greater or less number of other specifically different shapes of disintegrator plates may be employed, the character of the ground and the condition of the soil determining the matter. It isl obvious that a machine embodying the principlesof my invention mayalso be employed for cultivating purposes after a crop is sown. In such case the soil compressing rollers D5 are removed and the disintegrators are operated between adjacent rows of the-standing crop, and by suitably regulating the depth of the cut effected by the disintegrators the desired cultivation may be" effected withoutdanger of injury to the growing plants or other roots. Itis obvious that many other uses of the machine would readily suggest themselves to the farmer Without in any manner departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I do not desire, therefore, lto be limited or restricted in respect of the use to which my invention is to be put. I have indicated a clutch D7 for coupling or uncoupiing gear O1 with respect to axle G1, whereby the driving gearing for the pulverizing or disintegrating devices may be thrown out of action whenever desired, as for instance, during the transportation of the machine from one point to another, or to and from the place where the machine is to be used, and without arresting the propelling motor.

A drivers seat is indicated at G7.

In prac-tice I propose to so proportion the driving gearing as that both the forward and the rear disintegrating devices shall revolve at the same peripheral speed. This, however, is a detail that is not of vital iinpQrtance.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I provide an exceedingly simple compact and efficient apparatus with few parts to become deranged Yor put out of order, and whereinthe operating parts are strong and durable, and capable of withstanding the rough usages to which agricultural implements and machines are subjected, even in the hands of unskilled farm labor, and itis believed that the construction and operation of the machine will be readily and fully understood from the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. Itis to be understood, however, that my invention does not specially concern itself with the form, construction or arrangement of the supporting frame work or of the driving gear, or of the height adjusting mechanisms, and these unessential details may be varied and modified throughout `a wide range.

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and a construction embodying the principles thereof, what I'claim as new and useful, and of my, own invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a soil pulverizing apparatus, a series of disintegrating plates assembled into a compact body, said plates having peripheral cutting edges of varying conformation, and a plurality of spring fingers arranged to extend into proximity with the periphery of said body, and means for rotating said body.

. 2. In a soil 'pulverizing apparatus, a series of disintegrating plates assembled into a compact body, said plates having peripherall cutting edges of varying comformation, and means for rotating said body, in combination with the Ihood or shield arranged in ad- .vance of said body, and a plurality of spring fingers carried by said hood or shield, and having their free ends extendingtoward and into proximity with the periphery of said body.

3. In a soil pulverizing apparatus, a disintegrator having a peripheral cutting surface of varying conformation and means for rotating the same at a high speed, in combination with a plurality of spring fingers projecting into proximity with the peripheral'surface of said disintegrator.

4. In a soil pulverizing apparatus, a `disintegrator having a peripheral cutting surface of varying conformation, means for ro-` tating the same at a high -rate of speed, and spring fingers having their free ends extending into proximity to the peripheral 'surface of said disintegrator. u

5. In a soil pulverizing apparatus, a disintegrat/Or having a peripheral cutting surface of varying conformation, means for rotating said disintegrator at a high rate of speed, a hood arranged in yadvance of said disintegrator and carrying spring arms, the free ends of said arms extending into close proximity with the peripheral surface ,of said disintegrator. i y

6. In a soil pulverizing apparatuaia. ve-

hicle adapted to be progressedover the surface of the ground to bey disintegrated, disintegrators supported` by said vehicle, each of said disiiitegrators having a peripheral cutting surface of varying conformation, the one arranged behind the other to operate at a greater depth, meanswfor rotating said disintegrators at highf rates of. peripheral v speed, and a detlector plate arranged to protect the rearmost disintegrat'or from the inaterial disintegrated by vthe forward disintegrator. E

7. In a soil pulverizing apparatus, a vehicle adapted to be moved along the ground to be disintegrated, disintegrators supported by said vehicle and arranged the "one behind the other to operate to effect a cut of greater depth, said disintegrators having peripheral cutting surfaces of varyingconformation, a set of spring fingers for each cylinder, Y,said

springfingers having ytheir free endsvv arf,vr

ranged to extend into proximity with the peripheral surface of said disintegrators, and means for rotating said disiiitegrators at high rates of speed. i

8. In a soilA pulverlzing-apparatiisdave,`

hicle adapted to be movedoverthe; surface of the ground to,k be disintegrated, disin-y tegrators supported by said vehicle,one in advance of the other and each having a peripheral cutting surface of varying conformation, means for rotating said disintegrators at high rates lof peripheral speed, and a defiecting hood arranged in advance of each disintegrator to deiiect the soil delivered therefrom rearwardly and over said disintegrators.

9. In a soil pulverizing apparatus, a vehicle adapted to be progressed along the surface of the ground to be disintegrated, disintegrators supported by said vehicle and arranged tlie one behind the other to operate at a greater depth below the surface ofthe ground, said disintegrators having peripheral cutting surfaces of varying'conformation, a hood arranged in advance of each disintegrator to deflect the soil delivered therefrom upwardly and rearwardly o ver said disintegrators, and a series of spring fingers supported by each hood and having their free ends extending into close proximity with theperipheral surfaceof their associated disintegrator, and means for rotating said disintegrators at high rates of speed.

l0. In an apparatus of the/class described, the combination of rotary surface soil disintegrating devices and rotarv sub-soil dis- -position on top of integrating devices, the rotation of said ,surace soil .disintegrating devices operating to deliver the disintegrated surface soil upon the disintegrated sub-soil.

' 11. In an apparatus of the lclass described, a surface vsoil pulverizing device, a sub-soil pulverizing device, and means for delivering the pulverized surface soil over the subsoil pulverizing device whereby the pulverized surface soil is returned to its relative the pulverized sub-soil. 12. In an apparatus of they class'describea', a vehicle, adapted to be progressed over the ground, surface soil pulverizing devices mounted on said vehicle, sub-soil pulverizing devices also mounted-on said vehicle to the rearof thesurface soil pulverizing de` vices, distributing devices mounted on the 14. In a'soil vehicle tothe' rear of the sub-soil pulverizing devices, and soil compacting devices mounted on the vehicle to the'rear of the distributing devices, all combined and arranged as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In a soil pulverizing apparatus, a disintegrator having' a peripheral cutting surface, of varying configuration and a means for rotating said dislntegrator at a high speed, in combination with a plurality of spring lingers projecting into yproximity with the peripheral surface of saidv disin-' tegrator.

pulverizing apparatus, a disintegrator having a peripheral cutting surface, of varying configuration and means for rotating the same at a high speed, in combination with a hood arranged in advVance of said disintegrator, Aand carrying spring fingers having their ends arranged to extend into proximity With the peripheral surface of the said disintegrator.

l5. In a soil pulverizing apparatus, a series of disdintegrating into a compact body, said plates having peripheral cutting edges, of varying conguration, a plurality of spring fingers arranged to extend into proximity With the periphery of the said body, said body.

16. In a soil pulverizing apparatus, a series of disintegrating plates assembled into a compact body, said plates having peripheral cutting edges, of varying contiguration, a hood arranged in advance of said body, andtcarrying spring lingers having their ends arranged to extend into proximity with the periphery of said body, and means for rotating said body.

17.111 a soil pulverizing apparatus, a frame adapted to be progressed along the ground, a disintegrator carried thereby, and having a peripheral cutting surface, of varying' configuration, means for rotating said disintegrat'or at a high speed and in a direction for the cutting surface thereof to operate in the direction of progression of the frame along the ground, and spring fingersV arranged in advance of said disintegrator and having their ends extending into proximity with the vperipheral surface thereof.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of January`l9'06, in the presence of the subscribing Witnesses. CHARLES R. BRADLEY. lVitnesses EDWARD H. MILLER,-

S. E. DAiiY.

plates assembledand meansfor rotating' 

